As the Covid-19 virus continues to affect all of us I do hope that you are all staying safe, also for the many of you or family members who are on the front line we thank you for your continued super human efforts. As much as we miss sailing and the comradery that we enjoy we should remind ourselves that it is only sport.

Events and advice regarding the virus have continued and we have all to follow the most up to date local Government Guidelines. With that in mind we have agreed with Shane McCarthy in Portaferry that we should cancel the Northern Championships that were to have taken place on June 20-21st. We have cancelled it but we are keeping an open mind and if there is an opportunity and it is safe to do so we may look at the possibility of combining it with another event in Strangeford Lough later in the summer/autumn, not necessarily Portaferry.

All clubs are still closed and it is unknown when they will be open and sailing will recommence. The restrictions here in the Republic have been extended to 18th May but social distancing and travel are still an issue till July.

We are still of the view that there is no need for us to cancel any other events this far in advance as realistically we would be able to mobalise to go to an event at relatively short notice. The remaining events in the calendar are listed below.

Fixtures and Events

The Europeans in Crozan France have been officially cancelled but may take place in May 2021.

FFI have asked that sailors don’t make any arrangements for travel to Australia for the Worlds next February and they will issue a further update in August.

FFAI Regional Events for 2020.

May 30-31st - South Coast Championships at SLSC, Whiterock. -CANCELLED

I had prepared a newsletter to issue but Covid-19 events have overtaken us so I will give an update now 20/04/20 in as much as I can. Normally we would be preparing for the new season but now the priority is to stay safe and follow Government guidelines.

All clubs have closed and it is unknown when they will be open and sailing will recommence, DBSC have postponed any racing indefinetly and many regattas have been postponed or re scheduled. The lockdown restrictions here in the Republic have just been extended to 5th May. We are unsure of how long restrictions will be in place in Northern Ireland.

Our first event is due in Whiterock in Strangford Lough was due at the end of May. It is right that the local club made the decision to cancel which was be based on local Government guidelines. We are also of the view that there is no need for us to cancel any more events this far in advance as realistically we would be able to mobalise to go to an event at relatively short notice.

Irish Sailing and the RYA have issued guidelines asking sailors to support their clubs during this time and this includes maintaining your membership where possible.

Some of our fleet members have been very creative and have signed up to some on line racing which both Irish Sailing and the RYA have recently promoted.

Fixtures and Events

Despite the current situation there is an exciting list of fixtures both here in Ireland and abroad for the next few years and the key dates are outlined below.

The upcoming Europeans in Crozan France have been officially cancelled.

FFI have asked that sailors don’t make any arrangements for travel to Australia for the Worlds next February and they will issue a further update in August.

FFAI Regional Events for 2020.

Cancelled May 30-31st -- South Coast Championships at SLSC, Whiterock.